Lancashire

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Burnley first-team coach Mike Jackson stood in for Scott Parker for post-match interviews as the Clarets boss was not allowed under league rules after his red card.

Asked about the incident at the end of the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion which saw referee Gavin Ward also show a red card to defender CJ Egan-Riley - a decision which the club will appeal - Jackson said: "I think there's a lot of emotion.

"I think both teams are going for it, both teams are at different stages of where they need to be.

"The detail of it is not something that I want to try and get involved in because that much has gone on at the end but from what I've seen, I don't think there's a lot in it.

"I think sometimes we just need to take a little bit of a step back, everybody involved, but we'll look at it as a club."

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Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom was full of praise for his side after their 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Romaine Mundle's strike four minutes from time rescued a point for the Black Cats after Emil Riis had put Preston ahead.

Heckingbottom admitted he was frustrated to be pegged back, but was proud of his players' performance.

"I'm delighted with the team. They were excellent," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I've said how consistent we've been but the other consistent thing has been not picking up three points when we've been really good.

"That is the story of our season, really. We've got to be better in key positions. We've not been clinical enough, shown enough quality and our decision making [hasn't always been right]. I can't criticise anything tonight."

Heckingbottom also credited his players' strength of character despite conceding late on.

"We were good throughout. Not many teams come here and dominate the ball. I thought we were the coolest heads out there," he added.

Burnley will look to go to top of the table as they host play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

The Clarets are just two points shy of league leaders Leeds United and have not been beaten at Turf Moor all season.

A win would at least place them in the top two come the end of the day, with second-placed Sheffield United facing Bristol City in the late kick-off.

The Baggies could fall out of the top six should they lose and the Robins prevail at Bramall Lane.

• Burnley are unbeaten across their last six league games against West Bromwich Albion (W2 D4), since a 1-0 defeat in August 2017.

• West Bromwich Albion have won just two of their last 18 away league games against Burnley (D9 L7), winning just one of their last eight games (D4 L3).

• Burnley are unbeaten in each of their last 12 midweek league games (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), winning seven of them (D5), including each of their last four.

• West Brom are winless in their last 10 away league games (D6 L4), their longest run outside the top-flight since February 2000 (11 games).

• Burnley manager Scott Parker has drawn six of his eight previous managerial encounters with West Brom in the top four tiers (W1 L1), with his only victory coming with Fulham in the Premier League in November 2020 (2-0).

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Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill says getting promoted to the Premier League is the aim for this season, not playing entertaining football.

The Clarets won 4-0 against Luton to maintain their promotion push, but they have made headlines for their strong defence, conceding just 10 goals in the league all season.

Brownhill says winning is their main focus, regardless of how it happens.

"We just worry about what we do on the pitch, no matter how we play, winning is the main thing," he told BBC Radio Lancashire, external.

"Our goal is our goal. We want to be out of this league; if we look back at the end of the season and we are promoted, it doesn't matter how you win."

Third-placed Burnley host West Brom in sixth at Turf Moor on Tuesday and Brownhill expects a tough evening.

"It will be a difficult game," he added. "They are in good form and a good position in the table, so are we. If we are on it the way we've been all season, hopefully we get the three points.

"I'm sure we'll have a good game plan. It can [be a really special night]."